Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the largest China-based battery maker, has recently dispatched procurement managers and engineers on a large-scale visit to South Korea, with industry insiders believing CATL aims to secure technological advantages by engaging with South Korean companies amid ongoing structural adjustments in the Chinese industry, ensuring its differentiated competitive edge.

A major immigration raid at Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution's (LGES) battery plant in Georgia has exposed the labor and visa hurdles facing South Korean firms in the US. The case raises fresh doubts over how sustainable Korean investment in America's electric vehicle supply chain can be.

China's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency is gaining momentum, but automotive-grade chips present a unique challenge. Local automakers remain cautious about adopting untested domestic components that could jeopardize safety-critical systems.

As the software-defined vehicle (SDV) trend reshapes the automotive industry, tech giants are extending their reach beyond technology alone. Amazon Web Services (AWS), leveraging the e-commerce muscle of its parent company, is pioneering new channels for car sales. After initially partnering with Hyundai Motor to sell new vehicles, Amazon has now teamed up with rental giant Hertz to enter the used car market.

Connector and cable maker ACTT has maintained steady operations amid the ongoing trend of automotive electrification. Beyond its core focus on the automotive market, the company has recently invested in medical electronics and laboratory biotechnology services, expanding from electronic technology into regenerative medicine while strengthening integration of its core technologies.

The global auto market split sharply in the first half of 2025 amid uncertainty over US tariff policy. Electronics and manufacturing giants are responding by pivoting toward in-vehicle electronics and smart mobility, wagering on the rise of software-defined, digitally driven cars.

China's solid-state battery sector is reaching a critical stage, driven by rapid technical advances and new standardization initiatives. On September 10–11, 2025, the China Society of Automotive Engineers will meet in Beijing to review ten proposed group standards, including assembly methods for evaluation cells, and to launch five projects covering topics such as hydrogen sulfide emissions from sulfide-based solid-state batteries.

China's new energy vehicle (NEV) sector continues to face intense price competition, with domestic manufacturers pushing vehicle prices to unprecedented lows. This aggressive pricing strategy has severely squeezed profit margins, prompting the industry to seek innovative solutions that can balance cost and performance. One such emerging technology gaining traction is hybrid SiC, which promises to enhance NEV efficiency while controlling manufacturing expenses.

The global market for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) has slowed in recent years, with overall sales declining and many multinational automakers scaling back their hydrogen investments. However, Hyundai Motor has been bucking the trend, driven by its industry-leading EV technology, proprietary technological heritage, and confidence in the long-term potential of hydrogen.

Sinbon Electronics, a Taiwanese electronics component design and connector manufacturer, announced on September 2 its strategic collaboration with Berlin-based climate technology startup Swobbee through equity investment. The partnership reflects their shared vision of promoting sustainable urban transportation and accelerating the global transition toward a green market economy.

Beijing's attempts to curb fierce price competition within China's electric vehicle (EV) market have yielded minimal results, according to industry sources and analysts. The Chinese government's struggle to control discounting among domestic automakers has also added complexity to the EU's ongoing debate over tariffs and pricing restrictions on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs).